Students Witness Government in Action

Project Citizen Students Witness Government in Action

Posted on 05/09/2018

The Mason Schools Foundation grant Project Citizen Government in Action allowed thirty-six eighth graders from Project Citizen, a social studies elective class at Mason Middle School, to see ​their government in action, and apply in real life what they learned from the course.

"We had a fabulous day touring the Ohio Judicial Center and State House, participating in a mock trial, observing a real Supreme Court case, and interviewing lobbyists and state representatives​,​" shared MMS teacher and grant recipient Renee Thole.

Students were also able to speak with Senior Judicial Attorney to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Maureen O’Connor, as well as Representative Paul Zeltwanger’s aide, and lobbyists who work with the representatives at the State House.

"After our visit, students will complete a reflection on the field trip. They will be asked to discuss their understanding from the experience, and to provide a level of detail as to how their understanding of the government was supported, extended or challenged by this experience."

During the Project Citizen course, students study democracy and the role of the citizen within it. The three branches of government are studied at all levels of government, and then the students are asked to culminate the teachings by trying to create or change a public policy.